Festi'Van - Basketry, Art, Nature and Livestock Festival

Festi'Van: The Basketry Capital Celebrates

Every year in May, the small town of Fayl-Billot, nestled in the south of Haute-Marne, celebrates its exceptional basketry heritage through Festi'Van. An heir to an agricultural and commercial fair created in the 1970s, the festival took its current form in 2016, blending basketry tradition, arts and crafts, agriculture, and conviviality. The 2025 edition marked a double historic anniversary: the 50th fair and the 10th edition of Festi'Van, attracting several thousand visitors.

Recognized Basketry Know-How

Fayl-Billot has been the French capital of basketry for over 350 years. The town is home to the National School of Osiericulture and Basketry, founded in 1905, unique in France, attached to the Lycée du Paysage et de l'Horticulture. In October 2025, the INPI approved the geographical indication "Vannerie de Fayl-Billot", thus consecrating the excellence of this artisanal know-how. Festi'Van offers a chance to discover this art of weaving through demonstrations by professional basket makers and introductory workshops led by the school's students.

Over a Hundred Exhibitors

The festival brings together a wide range of exhibitors divided into several sections:

• Basketry and Arts and Crafts: Basket makers, wicker designers, sculptors, and artisans present their creations and demonstrate their skills.
• Agriculture and Livestock: The traditional departmental competition for Montbéliard cattle is a highlight, accompanied by sheepdog presentations and carriage rides.
• Plant Market and Local Products: Horticulturists, nursery owners, and local producers offer plants, flowers, honey, cheeses, and other specialties from the Haute-Marne region.
• Associations and Activities: Street performances, children's activities, and association stands complete the program throughout the day.

A Festive Evening

Festi'Van is not limited to Sunday. The evening before, a festive evening is organized with a dinner-concert followed by fireworks at 10:30 PM, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere to kick off the weekend's festivities.

An Event Rooted in its Territory

Supported by the municipality of Fayl-Billot and the Lycée du Paysage et de l'Horticulture, Festi'Van embodies the vitality of a rural territory that relies on its traditional know-how to shine. The event benefits from the City and Arts and Crafts label awarded to Fayl-Billot and actively contributes to the promotion of French basketry and the artisanal heritage of Haute-Marne.